NCP1342
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10
INTRODUCTION
The NCP1342 implements a quasi−resonant flyback
converter utilizing current−mode architecture where the
switch−off event is dictated by the peak current. This IC is
an ideal candidate where low parts count and cost
effectiveness are the key parameters, particularly in ac−dc
adapters, open−frame power supplies, etc. The NCP1342
incorporates all the necessary components normally needed
in modern power supply designs, bringing several
enhancements such as non−dissipative overpower
protection (OPP), brownout protection, and frequency
reduction management for optimized efficiency over the
entire power range. Accounting for the needs of extremely
low standby power requirements, the controller features
minimized current consumption and includes an automatic
X2 capacitor discharge circuit that eliminates the need to
install power−consuming resistors across the X2 input
capacitors.
•High−Voltage Start−Up Circuit: Low standby power
consumption cannot be obtained with the classic
resistive start−up circuit. The NCP1342 incorporates a
high−voltage current source to provide the necessary
current during start−up and then turns off during normal
operation.
•Internal Brownout Protection: The ac input voltage is
sensed via the high−voltage pin. When this voltage is
too low, the NCP1342 stops switching. No restart
attempt is made until the ac input voltage is back within
its normal range.
•X2−Capacitor Discharge Circuitry: Per the
IEC60950 standard, the time constant of the X2 input
capacitors and their associated discharge resistors must
be less than 1 s in order to avoid electrical shock when
the user unplugs the power supply and inadvertently
touches the ac input cord terminals. By providing an
automatic means to discharge the X2 capacitors, the
NCP1342 eliminates the need to install X2 discharge
resistors, thus reducing power consumption.
•Quasi−Resonant, Current−Mode Operation:
Quasi−Resonant (QR) mode is a highly efficient mode
of operation where the MOSFET turn−on is
synchronized with the point where its drain−source
voltage is at the minimum (valley). A drawback of this
mode of operation is that the operating frequency is
inversely proportional to the system load. The
NCP1342 incorporates a valley lockout (VLO) and
frequency foldback technique to eliminate this
drawback, thus maximizing the efficiency over the
entire power range.
•Valley Lockout: In order to limit the maximum
frequency while remaining in QR mode, one would
traditionally use a frequency clamp. Unfortunately, this
can cause the controller to jump back and forth between
two different valleys, which is often undesirable. The
NCP1342 patented VLO circuitry solves this issue by
determining the operating valley based on the system
load, and locking out other valleys unless a significant
change in load occurs.
•Rapid Frequency Foldback: As the load continues to
decrease, it becomes beneficial to reduce the switching
frequency. When the load is light enough, the NCP1342
enters rapid frequency foldback mode. During this
mode, the minimum peak current is limited and
dead−time is added to the switching cycle, thus
reducing the frequency and switching operation to
discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). Dead−time
continues to be added until skip mode is reached, or the
switching frequency reaches its minimum level of 25
kHz.
•Minimum Peak Current Modulation (MPCM): In
order to reduce the switching frequency even faster (for
high frequency designs), the NCP1342 uses MPCM to
increase the minimum peak current during frequency
foldback. It also reduces the minimum peak current
gradually as the load decreases to ensure optimum skip
mode entry.
•Skip Mode: To further improve light or no−load power
consumption while avoiding audible noise, the
NCP1342 enters skip mode when the operating
frequency reaches its minimum value. To avoid
acoustic noise, the circuit prevents the switching
frequency from decaying below 25 kHz. This allows
regulation via bursts of pulses at 25 kHz or greater
instead of operating in the audible range.
•Quiet−Skip: To further reduce acoustic noise, the
NCP1342 incorporates a novel circuit to prevent the
skip mode burst period from entering the audible range
as well.
•Internal OPP: In order to limit power delivery at high
line, a scaled version of the negative voltage present on
the auxiliary winding during the on−time is routed to
the ZCD/OPP pin. This provides the designer with a
simple and non−dissipative means to reduce the
maximum power capability as the bulk voltage
increases.
•Frequency Jittering: In order to reduce the EMI
signature, a low frequency triangular voltage waveform
is added to the input of the PWM comparator. This
helps by spreading out the energy peaks during noise
analysis.
•Internal Soft−Start: The NCP1342 includes a 4 ms
soft−start to prevent the main power switch from being
overly stressed during start−up. Soft−start is activated
each time a new startup sequence occurs or during
auto−recovery mode.